Four-in-hand tie shield

ABSTRACT

A ONE-PIECE PANEL IN A FORM SIMULATIVE OF AND PREFERABLY A LITTLE WIDER THAN THE CURRENT WIDEST STYLE OF FOURIN-HAND TIES PROVIDES A PENDANT SHIELD HAVING ON ITS UPPER END ATTACHMENT MEANS IN THE FORM OF LATERAL WING-LIKE TABS CARRYING PRESSURE-SENSITIVE ADHESIVE ON THE BACK WHEREBY THE DEVICE CAN BE ATTACHED TO THE ADJACENT WING PORTIONS OF THE WEARER&#39;&#39;S COLLAR OR TO THE KNOT OF THE TIE WITH THE SHIELD PROTECTIVELY OVERLYING THE TIE.   D R A W I N G

- Feb. 6, 1973 c, VQRBAU 3,714,669

FOUR-IN-HAND TIE SHIELD Filed Feb. 4, 1971 INVENTOR. E0 66? C VOK5A u v BY ATTORNEYS v United States Patent O 3,714,669 FOUR-IN-HAND TIE SHIELD Roger C. Vorbau, 417 Dawn, Glen Ellyn, Ill. 60137 Filed Feb. 4, 1971, Ser. No. 112,578 Int. Cl. A41d 27/12 US. Cl. 2--46 11 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISOLOSURE A one-piece panel in a form simulative of and preferably a little wider than the current widest style of fourin-hand ties provides a pendant shield having on its upper end attachment means in the form of lateral wing-like tabs carrying pressure-sensitive adhesive on the back whereby the device can be attached to the adjacent wing portions of the wearers collar or to the knot of the tie with the shield protectively overlying the tie.

This invention relates to a novel clothing protector and is more particularly concerned with the provision of new and improved shields adapted to be applied over the necktie area of a wearers clothing.

Heretofore various bib arrangements and napkins convertible to bibs have been proposed. However, except under conditions where extremely messy foods are to be consumed such as may involve virtually ritualistic digital manipulation of the food, the use of bibs or napkins has been resisted and avoided by adults for various reasons, such as the belief that this would be an admission of awkwardness or debility, juvenile behavior, socially demeaning practice, or the like. Furthermore, a bib or a napkin used as a bib leaves the users lap unprotected unless an additional napkin is provided or the bib or bib-applied napkin is of an unusually long and cumbersome size to afford both front and lap protection.

On the other hand, in numerous and varied situations involving the consumption of beverages and food protection is desirable for at least the four-in-hand tie area of the persons engaged in the drinking and eating activity. For example, at cocktail parties where with some frequency dip-type foods are provided and crowded and jostling conditions may prevail spillage, dripping or dribbling are real hazards. Expensive ties may be spotted, and if not ruined at least embarrassingly disfigured. Drink and food service in moving conveyances such as dining cars or airplanes presents similar problems. Even in restaurants, taverns, bars as well as at private parties, the desirability of protection for at least the tie area of the participants clothing is generally indicated. So far as I am aware, no really simple, generally acceptable, practical, efiicient, economical device for this purpose has heretofore been provided.

It is, accordingly, an important object of the present invention to provide a novel four-in-hand tie shield to protect the necktie area of a wearers clothing.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved tie shield panel structure.

A further object of the invention is to provide a new and improved tie shield panel structure having simple, convenient means for attaching it.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a tie shield which can be provided economically as a throwaway item.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a novel tie shield of considerable versatility to serve functions ancillary to its primary protection features.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a simple, generally acceptable, practical, efiicient, economical device for the intended purposes.

3,714,669 Patented Feb. 6, 1973 Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, although variations and modifications may be elfected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts embodied in the disclosure, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a shirt front and four-in-hand tie assembly with a shield embodying features of the invention applied thereto;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional detail view taken substantially along the line IIII of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but showing the shield as anchored to the knot of the tie; and

FIG. 4 is a sectional detail view taken substantially along the line IV-IV of FIG. 3.

A four-in-hand tie shield 5 embodying features of the invention comprises a panel 7 desirably generally shaped in the form of the pendant portion of a four-in-hand tie. That is, the panel 7 is of a desirable width having longitudinal edges which may, as shown, be tapered from top to bottom in the general fashion of the main front panel of a four-in-hand tie, with a bottom edge which may, as shown, run to a point, also in the general fashion of a front panel of a four-in-hand tie.

On its upper end, the panel 7 has respective opposite side shoulders 8 converging toward a narrow neck 9 juncture with a head portion 10 which extends generally to a wider upper end with divergently related side edges, all generally simulative of a four-in-hand tie knot. For protective purposes, the panel 7 and the head portion 10 are desirably somewhat wider than the current style of a fourin-hand tie 11 and a knot 12 thereof. Thereby, the shield 5 is adapted to provide thorough protection against spotting of the tie throughout its exposed length on a shirt front 13, inclusive of the pendant front panel of the tie and the knot.

Readily detachable fastening of the shield 5 in protective relation over the tie 11 is enabled by means comprising a pair of respectively oppositely extending aligned attachment tabs 14 on the upper part of the head portion 10. In a desirable arrangement, as shown, the tabs 14 may extend from the longitudinal center of the shield panel 7 and head portion 10 laterally about the same as the Width between the junctures of the lower edges of the tabs at the head portion 10. For stability, the tabs 14 may be wider at their inner ends than their outer ends, with their lower edges inclined toward the head portion 10 while their top edges may be straight across such that, in effect, the tabs are lateral ear-like continuations of the upper extremity of the head portion 10.

Means are provided on each of the tabs 14 to secure them respectively to collar wings 15 (FIG. 1) or to the tie knot 12 (FIGS. 3 and 4) for retaining the shield 5 in place. Preferably such means comprise pressure-sensitive adhesive 17 of the type which will adhere adequately to a surface such as fabric of the collar wings 15 or the tie knot 12 but will readily strip therefrom when the shield is to be removed, without stripping from the tabs 14. Prior to application of the shield *5 to the wearers clothing, the pressure-sensitive adhesive 17 is desirably protected by a backing strip 18 having a separation 19 to facilitate digital manipulation in removing the strip. As a matter of convenience, the adhesive 17 may be applied as a strip extending entirely across the upper area of the head portion 10 and the tabs 14.

In applying the shield 5, the backing strip 18 is removed and the device placed in the desired position over the necktie area of the shirt front 13, whereupon pressure applied against at least the attachment tabs 14 will cause them to become attached by way of the pressure-sensitive adhesive 17 to the confronting surface of the engaged fabric. Where, as shown in FIG. 1, it is preferred to apply the tabs 14 to those portions of the collar comprising the wings 15, the head portion 10 of the shield is located over the tie knot area with the tabs 14 substantially equally overlying the confronting collar portions, and digital pressure applied against the tabs toward the collar to cause the adhesive 17 to adhere to the collar fabric. By having the adhesive covered area extend across the upper part of the head portion 10, the central portion of the adhesive area can also be pressed into adherence with the tie knot 12, thus enhancing the security of attachment of the shield.

Alternatively, the tabs 14 may be secured behind the wing areas 15 of the collar as, for example, to the portions of the tie which extend laterally from each side of the knot 12 and with the central area of the adhesive 17 securing the head portion 10 to the tie knot. On the other hand, the tabs 14 may be wrapped about the tie knot 12 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, whereby most of the area of the adhesive 17 will be in securing relation to the knot with one of the tabs overlapping the other of the tabs and adhesively secured thereto by the pressure-sensitive adhesive 17.

Where the user may not be wearing a tie, he may nevertheless wear the shield 5 over the tie area of the shirt front 13, either by applying the tabs 14 adhesively to the wing areas of the collar or by applying them to the neckband under the collar. After the shield 5 has served its purpose, it can be readily removed, and reused if preferred, or discarded as preferred, the pressure-sensitive adhesive 17. readily facilitating removal, while nevertheless serving as an eflicient, secure means of attachment in the applied position.

Any suitable sheet material may be employed in making the shield 5, such as suitable grade of paper, dimensionally stable plastic film, fabric and the like. Where the device is to'serve as a drip or spill shield, it is desirably grease and liquid resistant. It is adapted because of its simple one-piece panel construction to be produced so economically that it can serve as a give-away, throwaway utility or souvenir item at cocktail parties, dinners, in restaurants, taverns, bars, dining cars, airplanes and the like. It may also conveniently serve as an identification or admission badge, although its primary function may be as a shield. On the front area of the panel 7 may be imprinted or otherwise applied advertising, slogans, logos, information, messages, announcements, greetings, laudations, such as recognizing birthdays or other special events, holidays, political affairs, honorifics, and the like. Even the back of the panel 7 may be supplied with useful information if desired. On the other hand, the entire panel of the shield 5 may be made from a transparent material so that when worn the device will be substantially inconspicuous and will permit the underlying tie or clothing area to be seen without obstruction. Wide range versatility and adaptability are thus indicated for the device, in addition to its numerous other advantages.

It will be understood that variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of this invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. A shield adapted to be worn over the necktie area of a shirt front, comprising:

a generally four-in-hand tie-shaped pendant panel constructed from a single piece of sheet material and having an upper integral head portion of substantial width;

aligned oppositely laterally extending tabs of substantial length integral with said head portion adapted to overlie or underlie collar wing areas or to be wrapped around a four-in-hand tie knot; and

means on each of said tabs to secure it to confronting fabric at the place of attachment for retaining the shield in place.

2. A shield according to claim 1, in which said means comprise pressure-sensitive adhesive on back face areas of said tabs.

3. A shield according to claim 2, including pressuresensitive adhesive on said head portion.

4. A shield according to claim 1, said tabs being widest at juncture with said head portion.

5. In combination with a shirt front having a collar at the top including wing areas:

a one piece sheet material shield of generally four-inhand tie shape including a pendant panel and an integral head portion having respective oppositely extending integral attachment tabs of substantial length; and

means on a back face of each of said tabs adapted to secure it to confronting fabric at the place of attachment in the region of said collar wing areas.

6. A combination according to claim 5, including a four-in-hand tie having a knot between said collar wing areas, said panel overlying a pendant portion of the tie and said head portion overlying the tie knot, said securing means attaching the tabs to said wing areas.

7. A combination according to claim 6, including securing means on said head portion engaging retainingly with said tie knot.

8. A shield adapted to be worn over the necktie area of a shirt front, comprising:

a generally four-in-hand tie-shaped pendant panel having an upper head portion;

oppositely laterally extending tabs on said head portion adapted to overlie or underlie collar wing areas or to be wrapped around a four-in-hand tie knot;

said pendant panel, head portion and tabs being constructed from a single piece of sheet material;

said panel tapering from a wider lower end upwardly and having shoulders diminishing to a narrow neck at juncture with said head portion;

said head portion tapering from said juncture to juncture with said tabs;

said tabs being aligned with the uppermost end part of said head portion; and

said tabs being widest at juncture with said portion.

9. A shield according to claim 8, said means comprising a strip of pressure-sensitive adhesive extending along each of said tabs and continuously across the upper part of said'head portion.

10. A shield adapted to be worn over the necktie area of a shirt front, comprising:

a generally four-in-hand tie-shaped pendant panel having an upper head portion;

oppositely laterally extending tabs on said head portion adapted to overlie or underlie collar wing areas or to be wrapped around a fonr-in-hand tie knot;

said pendant panel, head portion and tabs being constructed from a single piece of sheet material;

said panel tapering from a wider lower end upwardly and having shoulders diminishing to a narrow neck at juncture with said head portion;

said tabs being aligned with the uppermost end part of said head portion; and

said tabs being widest at juncture with said portion.

11. A shield adapted to be worn over the necktie area of a shirt front, comprising:

a generally four-in-hand tie-shaped pendant panel having an upper head portion;

oppositely laterally extending tabs on said head portion adapted to overlie or underlie collar wing areas or to be wrapped around a four-in-hand tie knot;

said pendant panel, head portion and tabs being constructed from a single piece of sheet material;

said panel tapering from a wider lower end upwardly and having shoulders diminishing to a narrow neck at juncture with said head portion;

said head portion tapering from said juncture to iunc- 3,488,773 1/1970 Stemmer 2-49 R ture with said tabs; and 3,618,138 11/1971 Retzkin 246 said tabs being aligned with the uppermost end part of FOREIGN PATENTS said head portion.

5 1,175,457 12/1969 Great Bntam 249 R References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS JAMES R. BOLER, Primary Examiner 2,747,192 5/1956 Katz 246 US. Cl. X.R. 2,423,581 7/1947 Clark 246 249 2,440,666 4/1948 Miller 2 49 R 6 

